Loom



Jan. 8, 1957 J. c. HocHMAN LOOM l1 Sheets-Shea?I l Filed July '7, 1949 Sn m 0 m WF. o New m wmwl/ FL IW ab luren. ...v-.anim

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Jan. 8, 1957 J. c. HOCHMAN LOOM 1l Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 7,A 1949Jan. -8, 1957 J. c. HocHMAN LOOM Filed July 7. 1949 1l Sheets-Sheet 3JNVENTOR.

Jan. 8, 1957 J. c. HocHMAN 2,776,675

v LOOM Filed July 7, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 PHA.

M1 9 A Jaim; 55 BY A 10i Y` M750/wifi Jan 8, 1957 J. c. HocHMAN2,776,675

LOOM

Filed July 7, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. JfzzZzwSCHoczmn ATTR/VTSJan. 8, 1957 J. c. HocHMAN 2,776,675

LOOM

Filed July '7, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 QQi 505 @CMM/wf,

ATTO/ENEMY Jan. 8, 1957 J. c. HOCHMAN 2,775,675

LOOM

Filed July 7, 1949 l1 Sheets-Sheet 7 ooo 30g INVENTOR.

Julzus CHoczmrz l 30 BO BY A TTORNEYS Jan. 8, 1957 Filed July '7, 1949J. C. HOCHMAN LOOM ll Sheets-Sheet 8 1N VEN TOR. `a iwi C. Hacman,

(WJMZMA MM A TTORNEYLS' Jan. 8, 1957 J. c. HocHMAN 2,776,675

Loon/1 Filed July 7, 1949 1l Sheets-Sheet 9 1N V EN TOR. JzzZazzS CHackman BY MMOv/WMXM Jan. 8, 1957 J. c. HocHMAN 2,776,675

LOOM

Filed July 7, 1949 1l Sheets-Sheet l0 26' V 25. 7 u FE11S.

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Jan. 8, 1957 J. c. HocHMAN 2,776,675

Lfoom Filed July 7, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 FTQ-ZE. 297

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O LooM Julius C. Hochman, New York, N. Y.Applicatiun July 7, 1949, serial No. 103,405

39 claims. (01.,139-1-1) This invention relates to the art of weavingmachinery and more particularly to high speed 'looms' for weaving narrowstrips of fabric. j i

As conducive to a clear understanding 'of the invention it is noted thatheretofore where a loom utilizes reciprocating mechanism, the stress andstrainincurred at the speeds used to give an economical outputnecessitates a machine having strong heavy parts which are relativelylarge and expensive 'and at best the speed of the machine is low as isthe resultant output, and the wear of the parts due to the stress andstrainmay cause frequent breakdown and necessitate replacement of partswith the resultant stoppage of production.

With conventional heddle plates, the reciprocating stroke thereof isnecessarily substantial'and the machine must be run at relatively slowspeed vto avoid excessive shock and vibration with resultant low output`Even at such low speed, the shock and vibration, due to the movement ofthe heddle plates and the actuating mechanism therefor, is considerableand likely to cause frequent breakdowns with resultant stoppage formaintenance and repair.

Where the operating parts of the loom are exposed, the lint and dustgenerally prevalent in a mill tend to clog the loom, with the resultthat frequent `stoppages are necessary for cleaning and replacement ofpartsfwith consequent reduction of output and enhanced cost ofmaintenance and furthermore the exposed parts are likely to cause injuryto the operator.

If in order to change the pattern of the woven `strip or to replacebroken heddle wires orto change the number used or to tie brokenthreads, the loom must be partially disassembled, such adjustmentsresult in loss in output during the relatively long time the machineremains idle.

It is accordingly among the objects of this invention to provide aweaving machine of the above type which is relatively compact and ruggedin construction, and operates with a minimum of noise, in which theneedle, the reed for beating the woven weftthread andthe heddle platesare 'as close to the fell of the woven-strip as possible to minimize thestroke of the parts so as to get high speed with a'minimum of shock andvibration, which utilizes uniform rotary motions wherever possible andhas a minimum number of reciprocatngelement's, thereby minimizing thestrain and wear inherent inhigh speed reciprocating machinery, which iscapable ofcoutinuous operation for long periods'without attention and atrelatively high speeds, utilizing as it does moving parts that are light`in weight, lyet that are not .delicate and hence not likely to becomeout of order, in which the working parts are readily accessibleiformaintenance and repair and the cost of upkeep of which-is low, in whichsubstantially all moving parts are fully .enclosed running in oil tominimize clogging of the machine, to reduce wear thereof and to preventinjury tothe operator, in which Athe pattern of the weavemay quickly'and readily be changed with but a few `simple adjustments fice andWithout disassembly of the machine, and in which broken heddle wires orheddle plates may readily be j replaced and in which heddle wires mayreadily be rethreaded upon breaking of any of the warp threads.

According to the invention, vertically reciprocable narrow heddle platesof thin,preferably sheet metal stock, are mounted with a minimum ofspacing therebetween and at such small distance from the vfell of theshed, that the latter has substantially only the length required toaccommodate the needle which is located to move through the shed inclose contiguity to the fell and to accommodate the reed whichpractically fills, in its retracted position, the space between the pathof the needle and the first heddleplate.

The shed is of small vheight conforming to its short length for whichreason the stroke of the heddle plates as well as the stroke ofthe reedlis correspondingly short. While separate mechanism could be used toreciprocate the -heddle plates and 'the reed, it is preferred accordingto another feature of the invention to operate both the heddle platesand the reedfrom a rotary drive mechamsm.

According to another feature, the rotary drive mechanism includes anendless chain having thereon rollers to'operate the reed and removablecam keys to operate the heddle plates, whereby the device may be set toprovide a selected pattern.

The needle is desirably triangular in cross section with an anglethereof adjacent the fell of the shed and preferably has a beveled noseportion to facilitate passage thereof `through the warp threads.

The weft thread carried by the needle is desirably caught `by a rotating'hook and thereupon passed around a bobbin case which the rotating hookencompasses and around a 'border warp lthread carried on a bobbinrotatably mounted in said bobbin case.

The reed is preferably in the form of a comb, the opstanding ngers ofwhich straddle the warp threads in the shed, vand the vcomb is desirablymounted on a pivoted member .which may be oscillated through a shortpath between` the first heddle plate and the fell.

According to another feature of the invention, substantially all of thecams, gears, driving rods and shafts are positioned in a central casingand preferably two weaving heads are provided, one at each end of themachine, both actuatedl by the same mechanism to provide enhanced outputat a relatively low initial cost, the machine desirably being compact insize to enable one operator to watch yseveral machines.

In the specic embodiment of the machine herein chosen to illustratemyinvention, although many dierent arrangements could be used, aparticularly desirable arrangement of the various cams, gears andsprocket wheels for operating the constituent elements of the machine isshown, arranged in timed relation to be driven by a commonLrnotor.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one `or lmore ofvariouspossible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. l is adiagrammatioperspective view showing the gear drivemechanism,

Fig. 2 is a .top plan view of the machine with parts broken away,

i Fig. v2a is a fragmentary detail View on a larger scale taken alongline Za-Za of Fig. 2,

Fig...2b.is a sectional detail view taken along line Fig. 3 isa:fragmentaryside-elevational view of the machine lwith parts brokenaway,

Fig. '3a is -a sectional'view taken along line 3x1-3a of Fig. 3,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the machine takenalong line 4 4 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 4a is a sectional detail view taken along line 4a--4a of Fig. 4,

Fig. 4b is a view taken along line 4b--4b of Fig. 4a,

Fig. 5 is an end elevational View of the left hand of the machine takenalong line 5-5 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5a is a detail transverse sectional view on a larger scale takenalong line S11-5a of Fig. 3, n

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 partly in cross section taken alongline 6 6 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line '7--7 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view on a larger scale of one of the operatingstations of the machine,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view on a larger scale andwith parts broken away showing the reed, the heddle plates and the drivemechanism therefor,

Fig. l0 is a side elevation View partly in cross section and with partsbroken away, taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view partly in cross sectionsimilar to Fig. l0,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the reed withparts broken away,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary top plan view on a larger scale of the heddleplates and bobbin and hook assembly,

Fig. 13a is a detail view with parts broken away taken along line13a-13a of Fig. 8,

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the needle,

Fig. 14a is a side view of the needle,

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 13a,

Fig. 15a is a detail transverse sectional view taken along line 15a-15aof Fig. 15,

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view ofthe hook and bobbin case,

Fig. 17 is a View similar to Fig. 16 but from the other side showing thesupport horn,

Fig. 18 is a detail View on a larger scale taken along line 18-18 ofFig. 17,

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the tensioncompensation arm, the take-up discs, and the tension devices,

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 19,

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of one of the heddle plates with a singleheddle wire mounted thereon,

Fig. 22 is a front elevational view of the heddle plate blank,

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary perspective View of the bobbin and hookassembly, the needle and the bridge piece, and,

Fig. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the bobbin, the bobbin caseand the hook.

The general construction of the machine will first be described and thenunder appropriate titles will be described the component structuralparts of the preferred specific embodiment shown herein.

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION As shown in Fig. 3, the loom comprises a heavy,rigid, box-shaped, oil tight casing open at the top thereof, and havingan opening 42 at the bottom thereof closed by a plug 43 removable tofacilitate draining of oil from casing 35. The casing 35 is desirablymade from a unitary casting, with extensions 32 at each end thereof toeach of which is desirably affixed, as by bolts 33, an upright orstandard 34. The machine may be mounted on a table 36 and as best shownin Fig. 6, secured to such table by means of bolts 37 which pass throughthe bores 38 in bosses 3S positioned in extensions 39 and 41 on thefront and rear respectively of the casing 35.

As the operating mechanism of the respective weaving heads at each endof the machine are substantially symmetrica] and to all intents andpurposes identical, it will suffice to describe one of the weaving headsand the associated operating mechanism therefor. It will be understood,however, that while `the duplex arrangement is preferred, an operativeloom could, if desired, have only one weaving head.

As shown in Fig. 2, to afford convenient access to the interior of thecasing 35, the open top thereof has a removable cover plate 44 aixedthereto by screws 45, cover plate 44 having an oval hand hole or opening46 therethroughwith an upstanding peripheral rim 47. The hand hole Ai6is covered by means of an oval plate 53 which is secured to the face ofrim 47 by screws 47 to prevent the entry of dirt or dust into thecasing.

As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, a drive mechanism is provided,comprising a main drive shaft 56 positioned transversely of the casing35, and journalled in bearings 5? and 53 in front and rear walls 59 and61 (see Fig. 4) respectively and protrudes beyond said walls. Av drivepulley 55 is keyed on lthe drive shaft 56 near the rear end thereof andis connected desirably by a belt 54 to the drive motor (not shown)located beneath table 36. A hand wheel 62, which also acts as aflywheel, is affixed to drive shaft 56 at the end thereof adjacentpulley 55.

A sleeve 69 (see Figs. l, 3 and 4) is affixed to the main drive shaft 56by set screw 68 between bearings 57 and S8. Sleeve 69 which thus rotateswith drive shaft 56. has spiral gears '73 and 74 at the front and rearend thereof, respectively. Gear 74 meshes with a spiral gear 75 keyed toa vertical transmission and crank shaft 76, the latter being journalledat its lower end in bearing socket 77 (Sec Figs. 1 and 3) on the floorof the casing and near its upper end in bearing block 78 rigid with andextending inwardly from the rear wall 61 of the casing 35. As gear 74and gear 75 are of the same size, vertical shaft 76 will make onecomplete revolution for each revolution of the main drive shaft 56.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 3, afxed to the upper end of the vertical shaft76 and protruding above bearing block 73 is a horizontal balanced crankmember 81, whichl cornprises a semi-circular counterweight 32 having anarm 83 extending radially therefrom. Pivotally connected at one end asat S4 to the free end of arm 83 is horizontal ecnnecting rod 85, thefree end of which has a hub thereon with a vertical bore therethrough.Referring to Fig. 3, the reduced portion 37 of a vertical clamp member38 is inserted through the vertical bore in hub 85, with shoulder 89formed by reduced portion 37, resting on the top of hub 86. The clampmember 3S is pivotally re tained in hub 86 as by a cotter nin 9i? whichextends through a transverse opening on the lower extremity of reducedportion 87, a washer 8l? desirably being provided between the cotter pinand the bottom of the clamp member 88. Clamp member 83 has a hub 9.1integral therewith at the upper end thereof having a transverse beretherethrough, through which a horizontal needle rod 51 extends, thelatter being Securely aixed in the bore of hub 91 by means of a setscrew 92.

As shown in Fig. 3, rim 47 of hand hole 46 has opposed lateral bearingopenings 48 therethrough each with an outwardly extending bearing 49 inwhich horizontal needle rod 51 is slidably mounted, the needle rod byreason of the gearing and linkage above described being moved back andforth at each complete revolution cf the main drive shaft 56. Clampmember 8S is positioned directly beneath hand hole cover plate 53 toprovide for convenient assembly of needle rod 51 through the transversebore of clamp member 88, for properly adjusting the cnd to end positionof needle bar 51 and for connecting it to thc driving mechanism by meansof set screw 9.2 and also to afford access to the hub S6 to permit readyinsertion of cotter pin 90.

As shown in Figs. l, 3 and 4, gear 73 on sleeve 69 meshes with a spiralgear 184 affixed near one end of a weft thread tension control sleeve181 rotatably mounted 0n horizontal transmission shaft 127 journalled inbearfarmers 'ings 128 and :129 (seefFigsA) [inthe sidewalls 98'ax1d.-100 respectively `of thevcasing ,-35,1shaft 1h27 ,extending-beyond.bearing `129. Ascgears 7-3and f184 are=ofthe-,same:size, sleeve E181will make Yonecomplete revolution for each revolution ofthe main `driveshaftand hencetensioncontrol cams `182 and 183 whichare also `rigidlyzaixed to sleeve 181 and .offset '180 ydegrees with :respect to eachother will operate the weftthread tension .eontroLdevices 231fand 232,respectively, asshown'in Fig-4.

Atl'xed on the end of sleeve r181-opposedto gear 184 `isa spur gear 185whichdrives a hoOlQ-Shaftspur gear 186 fixed on a horizontal hook lshaft1851. As the ratio lof :gear `1&5 to 186 isillustratively two toene,hookshaft '18.7 will maketwo revolutions for ever-yrevolution of themain drive `shaft 56 land .each reciprocation of the needle rod 51.

Hook shaft y18.7 iis journalled in .bearing 188 (Fig. 4) in -side iwall98.101? the lcasingzand in.anelongatedgbearing bore.1S9rextending'through a horizontal boss y1191 unitary with andextending .longitudinally along the inner -face of the casing and which.boss Iprovides for Ian intermediate bearingsupport as at 192 and for anend support 193 for .the rapidly rotating `hook shaft V18'7.

Axed -to vertical shaft 76 near thezlower-,endthereof i above -bearing.77 is a worm 93 .which meshes with a worm gear 94 keyed on a horizontal,patternand reed control shaft 95. The latter, as best seen in Fig. 3,is journalled in bearings 96 and 97 von thednner faces ,of the left sidewall 9S and right side wall 99 .of the .casing 35 and extends beyondsaid side walls, the .shaft 95 being restrained from lateral movement,as shown in Fig. 3, by collars 95 affixed to shaft 95'by set screws 96.The ratioof worm 93 to worm gear 94 is illustratively 4 to 1.. Thusshaft 95 will rotate 90 degrees foreach Vcomplete revolution ofvvertical shaft 76 and each, reciprocation sof theneedle rod 51. Atixedon shaftSSwithinV casing, as `-shown in Figs. 1, 3 and .4, isa worm 119which meshes with a worm gear 121, aixed on the lower end of a verticalcounter shaft 122, the latter being journalled in a long verticalbushing 123 affixed by set screw 124' ina bearing block 123 extendinglaterally inwardly from and desirably integral with the inner face offront wall 59 of the casing. Y'

.In the embodiment shown herein theratio of worm 119 to worm gear 121 isillustratively 15 to 1. `Thusit will require revolutions of worm 119 toturnI worm gear 121 ,one revolution. As -shaft 95.turns lone ,quarter ofa revolution for each revolutionof the maindrive s'haftS and eachreciprocation of needle rod '51, it will take (it) revolutions of themain drive shaft56 to turn countershaft 122 one revolution.

Afxed onA countershaft 122 near its upperend` which extends beyondbearing block 123 is a worm 124, .the lower end of which is seated .onbushing 123 asshown in Fig. .3. The upper extremity of shaft 122isthreaded to receive a nut 125 which securely holds .worm`124 on shaft122. Worm 124 meshes with a worm gear .126 which ils affixed onhorizontal take-up tension shaft '127. The'ratio of'worm '124 to wormgear 126 is illustratively 1,to 4. lt will therefore require fourrevolutions of thecountershaft -122 to turn horizontalshaft 127 onerevolution. As it requires 60 revolutions of the main drive shaftf56 .toturn countershaft 122 one revolution, it will require 240 revolutions ofthemain drive shaft56 tov turn wormgear 126 and take-up shaft 127 onerevolution'.

A horizontal fabric take-up shaft 138 is positioned near the top of thecasing adjacent to and in front of the front wall 59 and journalled nearits midpoint in a bearing block 142 (see Fig. 2) affixed to frontwall..59 of the casing and near its ends in ,bearings 144, and' 144formed in the upperportions of standards 34 respectively and eX- tendsbeyondl said'bearings V144 and 144'. AShaft 13S is driven through atransmission from a changeable takeup gear`132 Whichfis desirably keyedon. the end of shaft 127 protruding beyond bearing 129 inside wall` 100and` :removablyfaxed on `said Vshaft 1127 by a nut 131 (see inadjustedposition. Idler gear 133 meshes'with aspur gear I141'(see Figs. 1 and 7)'keyed on :horizontal takeup.y shaft 138 .to rotate thelatter.

With .the adjustable vdrive mechanism thus described :for thetake-up-shaft 133, -it'is thusconvenient to change the speed of rotationof shaft 138 in accordance withthe number .fof picks per inch, itisdesired .to vweave in the finished .product The details of this`operation willhe Vfurther described hereinafter.

-Having thus described the general'construction'of theVdriving.mechanismof the loom, the component parts tof the weaving headswill `now-be described in detail.

I. Shed forming (a) NEEDLE STRUCTURE (Figs. 14, 14n) Each of the weavingheads has a weft thread .carrying needle `associated .therewithrespectively designated by the -numerals ,52 and 52. As the needles areidentical, only the former, i..e., needle 52 is shown in Figs. 14 .and14a. The needle which is relatively `narrow in width, desirably has aright angled extension `25 at the rear end thereof by means of which itis aflixed, as shownin Fig. 19, as by a screw 27, to the fiattened end26 of the needle rod 51, the rear end of extension 25 abutting againstshoulder 26' formed at .attened end 26. The nose 29 and the .rear end ofeach of the needles are provided with openings :oreyes 30 and 313',respectively, through which the weft thread W may be threaded as shownin Fig. 1.43 anda broadnotch 23 is .provided in the underface of theneedle at the nose thereof.

The needle shank desirably has a at top to provide strength andsubstantially the entire .length thereof is triangular in cross sectionas .shown Vin Fig. 11 so that `it may t.into the vortex of thesubstantially triangular shaped shed formed in the warp threads ashereinafter described. The nose 29 of the needle is beveled as at ,29'so that as the needle is moved through the shedl it may push away loosefilamentsof the warp thread which tend to cling together in the shed andblock the needle path and also deflect any sagging warp threads.

The .triangularshape and narrow width of the needle lthusrpermit it tobe located close to the feel of .the shed thereby minimizing the spacerequired therefor.

' (b) HEDDLE PLATE ASSEMBLY (Figs. 2, 3, 5, 8 and 13V) In order toprovide the shed through which the needle `may pass to weave the stripwhich will illustratively be 'threads or more or less Vrubber threadscould be used.

As-shown in Figs. 2, 3, 8 and 13 this assembly desirably comprises apair of spaced, parallel upstanding heddle plate guides 291 and 292positioned between standard 34 and the side-wall 98 of the casing. Asshown in Fig. 5, a guide plate 291 is aflxed by screws 294 to the innerface .of standard V34 with the rectangular portion 293thereof.protrudingabove the standard, and a guide plate 292 (vFig. 8) isaffixed by four screws (not shown) threaded ,into the .upper holes 295Fig..6) in apad 296 integral with the outer .face of side .wall98 of thecasing. In .order properly to position the guide plates .when af- .xedto their respective supportsso that the vertical narrow guide slots 297(Figs. 13 and 23) on the opposed faces thereof will be transverselyaligned, a pair of dowels 298 (Fig. 6) is provided in pad 296 and acorresponding pair 299 (Fig. in standard 34 which fit into correspondingopenings in the guide plates 291 and 292 respectively. The four lowerscrew holes 295' in the pad 296 are used to secure the warp thread guidebars (not shown) to the casing 35.

After the guide plates have been atiixed as above set forth, a long bolt303, as shown in Fig. 2, is inserted through standard 34, guide plates291 and 292 into a threaded opening 296 in pad 296 with a sleeve 304(Fig. 2) encompassing the bolt to act as a tie rod for standard 34 andas a spacer between the guide plates 291 and 292.

Slidably mounted in each pair of aligned slots 297, of which twelvepairs are illustratively shown in Fig. 13, is a heddle plate generallydesignated by the numeral 305 and specifically referred to by thenumerals 3051 to 30512. The guide slots 297 are desirably spaced only0.1 inch apart with the slots 297 carrying heddle plate 30512 beingspaced .125 inch from the slots carrying hedelle plate 30511 to providefor heavier heddle wires in plate 30512 to accommodate the highly tensedand relatively thicker rubber warp threads which heddle plate 30512illustratively controls in the embodiment herein described. As shown inFigs. 2l and 22, each heddle plate may preferably be formed from a blankdesirably of thin light Weight metal which comprises a short leg 308rising from one end of a base 307 and having laterally inward projectingtongues 309 integral therewith near its root end and near its upper end,each tongue having ears 311 at the upper and lower edges thereof bent atright angles to the tongue. Upstanding from the other end of base 307 isa short leg 312 which when initially formed is tilted from the vertical.as shown in Fig. 22. Desirably integral with the leg 312 near the base307 and at the top thereof are laterally extending short arms or rails313 and 314 at right angles to leg 312 and lying in the same planetherewith. Thus it can be seen that arm 313 is spaced from leg 308 as at315 and arm 314 is spaced from the upper end of leg 308 as at 316. Theheddle plate also has a flexible finger 317, extending downwardly frombase 307 in the same plane and integral therewith. Leg 312 may be bentuntil it is parallel to leg 30S. in which position the ends of arms orrails 313 and 314 will be aligned with the respective tongues 309 on leg308 and positioned behind such leg.

As seen, the heddle plate is of order of thickness no greater than theheddle rails 313 and 314 and is preferably as described an integralstamping with said rails. The thickness of the heddle rails is of theorder of the width of a slot which can be made in a standard narrowheddle wire, all as shown in Fig. 21. The term thin as applied to theheddle plates in certain of the claims is a thickness such as defined inthis paragraph.

To complete the assembly of the heddle plate, a plurality of very shortheddle wires 319, only one of which is shown, are mounted on each of theheddle plates. To this end each heddle wire 319 desirably comprises aliat wire, as shown in Fig. 21, and having an eye 327 through itsmidpoint 326 into which a warp thread may be inserted and also desirahlyhaving a slot 321 at each end thereof through which may be passed arms313 and 314. when the ends of the latter are moved slightly away fromleg 30S. With ears 311 straddling the ends of arms 313 and 314, aneyelet, split rivet or other readily detachable connecting elements 322is thereupon passed through openings 323 and 324 in the tongues 309 andarms or .rails 313 and 314 and headed to complete the assembly, theremovable character of connecting element 322 facilitating speedyreplacement of broken heddle wires or removal or addition of heddlewires as required.

With the heddle plate 305' assembled as shown in Fig. 2l, a slot 320 isthereby provided between arm 313 and base 307. Thus the heddle wires mayreadily be moved laterally along the lengths of arms 313 and 314.

The short legs 308, 312 provided for the use of extremely short andtherefore stiff heddle wires, while the short arms 313, 314 formextremely stitf rails on which the heddle wires are mounted. Thisspecial construction provides simple, light weight heddle units, whichare even stronger than the large, heavy construction of conventionallooms, and yet so light in weight as to permit very high speedoperation.

In order that the relatively small space between the parallel adjacentheddle plates be sucient to accommodate the latter without contact whenthey are mounted between the guide plates, as shown in Fig. 13, the legs308 thereof are alternately positioned so that no two riveted portionsof successive hed-dle plates will be aligned.

With the construction and arrangement of the heddle plates hereindescribed, it is apparent that the distance between heddle plates 3051to 30512 will be only slightly greater than one inch, thus providing anextremely compact arrangement and a very short vertical movement of eventhe most distant heddle plate 3051, yet as the heddle plates and shortheddle wires are stiff and strong by reason of their specialconstruction above set forth, such compactness is without loss ofstrength or durability.

(e) HEDDLE PLATE ACIUATING MECHANISM (Figs. 5, S to 11 .and 13)Associated with the heddle plates 3051 to 30512 is the operatingmechanism therefor comprising a plurality of levers 328, illustrativelythirteen in number, twelve of which correspond to the number of heddleplates 305 plus an additional lever for heddle plate 30512 which, asshown in Fig. 9, preferably is operated by two levers for the reasonhereinafter set forth. Each of the levers 328 (specifically numbered32812 and 3281 to 32812 inclusive, as shown in Fig. 8, with levers32812a and 32812 operating plate 3051) is pivotally mounted near its midpoint on a transverse rod 329 positioned at one end in a socket 331 onside wall 98 of the casing and extends through a threaded opening 332 instandard 34, the entire set of levers being positioned between collars333. In order properly to space the levers 328 on rod 329, washers 337encompassing the rod are interposed between consecutive levers. Theouter end of rod 329 is threaded as at 335 and has a nut 336 thereonsecurely to lock the rod in position.

Each of the levers 328 has a roller 338 (Fig. 11) rotatable in a slot334 formed therein. A coil spring 339 is atiixed at its lower end to anopening 341 in the rear end of the lever. The upper end of the coilspring is connected to the end of an adjusting screw 342 (Fig. 8)extending upwardly through a horizontal support bar 343 aixed betweenstandard 34 and side wall 98 of the casing. The protruding ends 344 ofthe screws each has a nut 340 threaded thereon and by means of which thetension on the spring 339 may be adjusted, thereby varying the tensionon lever 32S, the nuts 340 being locked against accidental rotation by acentral upstanding ridge 343' on the upper face of support bar 343.

To provi-de room for springs of large size and long life, the rear ends350 of adjacent levers, as shown in Fig. ll, alternately vary in theirdistance from pivot rod 329, thus arranging the springs in two parallelrows and the associated adjustment screws 344 are correspondingly spacedon support bar 343, as shown in Fig. 2.

In order to limit the pivotal movement of the levers 328 under the pullof springs 339, a stop bar 329 desirably of fibre, is provided aiiixedbetween Wall 9S and standard 34 by screws 330 (Figs. 5 and ll). Thelower end of the stop bar 329 is desirably beveled as at 331 so that thelevers 328 will engage with the width of the stop bar.

As the distance of heddle plate 3051 from pivot rod 329 is greater thanthat of. heddle plate 30512, it is apparent that the length of theportion of the levers from the rod .329 ito fthe front `end. ethernet:will vary :respectively, .dependinglupon :which @of lthe heddle plates:the associated .llever ,actua-tes.. However, aasone vof :the :heddleplates, i. e., heddle plate 30512., .which :in the embodiment hereincarries all ibut one 1(i.;e.ithe bdbbinwarp thread) of the normallyrhighly tensioned l:rubber warp threads utilized in the lwoven stripof.fabric,.a :finger 317 is desirably provided on each side of heddleplate` .30512. Consequently the levers .32,812 and :32812.a neareach endof rod 329 'which both .desirably actuate heddle plate 30512 are both ofthe same `length and` .ensure that the tension of the rubber .threadsywill. not fcause heddle plate 30512 `to tilt when moved .Jup ,anddown.aandi'bin-d finits guideways. or grooves '297.

In ad-dition to heddle plate 30512 'being spaced from plate 30511 by agreaterdistance than the spacing .of the others and'vdesirabl'y`differing `from the otherheddle plates in that it hasy two fngers .317,it also differs therefrom in that thev distance between transverse arms313 and 314 .is less. Thus heddle wires .31'9 thereof are shorter., withalcorrespondinsinsrease inz-strengthrto en.- ahle such wires towithstand the strainof the plurality of tensed rubber warp threads.

.As Ishown in Fig. 9 -lever 32811 isconnected v4to, finger 317 of heddleplate 3.0511 which is to the rear of the rubber heddle `plate .305121.`,Consequently vlever 32811 .is

slightly longer than levers32812 and 328.121fwith finger 317 of heddleplate 30.511 `beingslightly tothe rightyof finger 3.1'7 of heddle plate30512. Thisyarrangementgcontinues progressively until v.the.twelfth-orlast heddle plate 3051 which is farthest.fromurubberheddleplate 3051-2tand consequently will have the longest lever arm'3281 andthe finger 3.17- thereof will be. slightly Vtogthe leftof linger 317 ofrubber heddle plate 30512 which coacts with lever 328122.

It is to be Inoted thatas lever 3281isfthe longest, its throw willbelgreaterthanithat'of :levers 32812 and. 32812*JL and `consequentlyheddle plate 3.051 will move up and down a greater distanceytl'lanrubber.heddle-plate .30512. In order that the heddle plates andthe heddle wiressubstantially conform in size to facilitate vmassyproduction thereof, .all the heddlelplates, exceptthe rubberheddleplate 30512, are made the same size `.between .the arms 313 and 314thereof l as the heddle plate .3.051, which latter requires the maximumdistance .between arms 313 and 314 thereof in order to provide`clearance for the warp threads passing therebetween. Eor the samereason heddle plate 3281 is lidentical r.with heddle plate .32811,heddle plate 3282 is identical with heddle plate 32810 etc., merelyturning the heddle plate rover resulting inpositioning flexible finger.317 symmetrically .on opposite side .of the center line. Thus onlyseven ,different kinds of yheddle plates are needed for the twelveheddleplates shown.

To provide a long :wear `life .of .the small machine elements `involvedaswell as to provide afree pivotal action Ybetween the ends .of ,therhivers and the ends of flexibleiingers .317 rof; thefheddle .plates .to`which they are connected,arockertypejoint is .desirably provided withthe parts thereof adapted for ,ready manu-facture of the hardestmetallic substance. To this end as shownin Fig. 1l each of the levershas .an arcuate cavity 35.1.therein in which the transverse tip 31,8 atthe .end ofeachof the corresponding fingers Vmay bc-ppositioned, which`tip preferably is-made separate fronrthefinger and welded thereto. Tip318 is retained in its seat by a capmember 352 aflixed to the leverbyscrew. 354I and having a corresponding arcuate cavity 353 therein. Astip 3.18 and cap 352 are desirably made .of tungsten carbideor other`wear resistantmaterial, they will have. a longlife` To reciprocate the'heddle :plates '305 jin predetermined cyclic sequence to form theshe'drequiredfor the weavling operation, a patternchainassembly:isprovidedwhich is constructed 'and arranged to permitsettingup fof. even complicated patterns witnease andarapidity and alsow permit ready and convenient changes in thepattern without dsassemblingthemachine and-.with the resultant enhanced production and reduced costof operation. To this end the pattern chain assembly includes a widesprocket wheel 101 having a plurality Vof circumferential groovestherein illustratively thirteen in number as shown and designated by thenumerals 112122 and 1121 to 11212 inclusive as shown in Figs. 8 and9.Sprocket'wheelf101 is aixed to the end of shaft between sidewall 98 ofthe casing and standard S11-and has riding thereon a continuous patternchain 102. Thelatter asshown in Figs. 1 and 5, extends through openings203 and 104 in extension 32 and table 3.6 respectively and is stretched'be tween sprocket wheelf101 and an'idler sprocketwheel 105 mounted `on ashaft 106 supported by and `vertically adjustable in brackets 107 afxedto the undersurface of table 36. Thus the position of idler sprocketwheel with respect to sprocket wheel101 can be adjusted vertically inaccordance with ythe length of the pattern `chain being used. As shownin Fig. l the idler sprocket wheel and a portion of the pattern chainare enclose'clQinan oilcase 108 affixed beneath table 36 tollubricatethe chain and to prevent dust and dirt accumulatingkthereon and also toavoid accidental soiling of the twovenmaterial or yinjury vto theoperator. l

Pattern .chain 102 preferably `comprises side links 109 which are joinedby elongated transverse cross pins 111 each of which has a pluralityofparallel` annular grooves Y therein,,illustratively thirteen in numbercorresponding to the number Vof levers 328.andithe numberV of grooves insprocket wheel `101.

Pattern chain 102 has a roller 1f13 rotatably mounted thereon at .eachend of every fourth `cross pin. Thus at every revolution of the mainydrivey shaft 56 and every reciprocation of needle rod 51, sprocket wheel10.1 will rotate 90 degrees thereby `moving each roller thereon throughan angle of 90 degrees around Asprocket .wheel y101.

In order `to provide for greatest ease and speed of pattern change,pattern cam keys 114 are-provided, shown in Fig. '11, and adapted totinto `theaaligned groove-1x10 of two successive cross pins. Each keydesirably comprises a yoke-shaped cam member of resilient -materialhaving an arcuate groove 115 in opposed edges of each of the legs 116thereof. The pattern key is fitted into two aligned grooves 110 with'thelegs 116 thereof straddling the successive cross pins 111 and extendingtherebelow into ygroove 112 -i-n sprocket wheel 101. The resilient legs116 `thus grasp the cross pins 111 securely -to hold the pattern key inposition. The lower inner extremities of each of the legs r116 arebeveled as at 155 to facilitate insertion of such legs over the crosspins 111 and the lower outer extremities of each of the legs 111il arebeveled as at 156 so that the legs of adjacent keys may clear each otheras the'chain curves and passes around the sprocket wheel. The lupperportion or lcam edge of the pattern key which extends upwardly abovevthe level of the teeth of the sprocket wheel 101 may have a graduallyinclined surface 117 or 1-17, or an arcuate surface 118, which cooperatevwith the associated roller 338 on a lever 328 to raise, lower-or holdthe latter and reciprocate the heddle plates in accordance withtherequirements of the pattern to be woven. Eachof thegrooves 110 and112 is of sufficient width to permit the legs of two pattern keys to beinserted therein inside by side relatiornand as theextending legs of thekeys t into the grooves 110 in cross piece 111 and grooves 112 insprocket wheel 101, the keys will not vibrate or tilt when they abutagainst the -roller 338.

In order to prevent accidental'soili-ng of the woven material or injuryIto the operator, a protective plate 252 is =provided, mounted betweenstandards 34 and -side walls 98 so as to cover the pattern chain andissecured by screws i253 to the extension 39-in the front of the '75loom.

Il. Weft thread controls (at TENSION CONTROLS (Figs. 2, 4, 4a, 4b and19) In order to control the tension on the weft threads W and W whichillustratively extend from spools S and S respectively through eyes 30and 30 at the rear and nose of each of the needles, the tension devices231 and 232 heretofore mentioned and tension arms 255 and 255 aredesirably provided.

Tension devices 231 and 232 which are identical, are shown in Figs. 4,4a, 4b and Fig. 19 and are mounted on the front wall 59 of the casing.As shown in Figs. 4a each tension device preferably comprises a bushing233 which extends through front wall 59 and protrudes therefrom on bothsides thereof. Bushing 233 has a rod 234 therein, slit or bifurcated asat 234. Bushing 233 is reduced as at 2 7 near the inner end thereof toform a bearing 237' and enlarged as at 238 to rctain cam follower ball239. Encompassing rod 234 and seated against shoulder 235 formed by theend of bushing 233 are a pair of tension discs 241, the rims 242 ofwhich form a groove 243 therebetween when the discs are injuxtaposition, in which a thread may be inserted to slide between saiddiscs 241. A clamp disc 244 having a cross bar 245 across the opening246 therein also encompasses rod 234 with the cross bar extendingthrough slit 234 and the rim 247 of the clamp disc is urged againsttension discs 241 by a coil spring 248 encompassing said rod 234 andretained thereon by tension adjusting nut 249 screwed on the threadedouter end of rod 234. A slidably mounted releasing rod 251 extendsthrough axial bore 236 of rod 234 and bearing 237 of bushing 233 and isconfined between cross bar 246 at one end and ball 239 at the other.

Associated with said tension devices 231 and 232 are the identicaltension control cams 182 and 183 respectively. Thus, as follower ball239 of each of the tension devices is retained against the rim of itsassociated carn 182 or 183 and forced outward by such rims the rods 251will alternately reciprocate as the cams rotate, thereby to relieve thepressure of clamp disc 247 against tensions discs 241 to relieve thepressure on the thread therebetween.

Tension compensation arms 255 and 255 which are identical as shown inFig. 2 are mounted respectively near each end of the cover plate 44 atthe front of the machine. As shown in Figs. 2a and 19, each tensioncompensation arm is desirably mounted on a base 256 slidably amxed tothe cover plate in slots 257 by bolts 256 and has an upstanding ear 257at right angles thereto extending past the .front edge of the coverplate 44.

A tension adjusting screw 258 machined so as to be substantially squarein cross section as shown in Fig. 2b is inserted through acorrespondingly square opening 261 in ear 257. A knurled tensionadjusting knob 262 which is threaded on the end of the screw 258 has aslot 263 in its shank 264 transversely thereacross. A substantiallyU-shaped spring clamp 265 is provided having au arcuate bend 266 in oneleg thereof which, when the clamp is placed over the shank 264, willencompass the periphery of the latter with leg 267 of the clamp lying inslot 263 against a flat surface 268 of the adjusting screw.

The free end of adjusting screw 258 has an eye 271 therein to which oneend of a coil spring 272 is connected. The other end of the coil springis connected to an eye 273 at the end of an arm 274 pivoted at its midpoint by a screw 275 to base 256. The free end of arm 274 has anupstanding portion 276 integral therewith with an opening 277 thereinthrough which a weft thread may pass.

By the arrangement herein described, the position of the tensioncompensation devices may be shifted along cover plate 44 to vary theposition of 'such devices with reference to the needle positions at theinner and outer extremities of the needle bar stroke, according to thewidth of the fabric being woven, and the weft thread tension may beadjusted even when the machine is operating, by merely rotatingadjusting knob 262.

Positioned adjacent the tension compensation device 255 and rigid withthe cover plate is a guide bracket 273 (Fig. 19) the laterally extendingleg 279 of which has a pair of openings 281, 281 therein through whichthe weft threads W and W' may be inserted. A guide bracket 282 shown inFigs. 2 and 3, is also provided adjacent tension device 255', which hasan upstanding arm 203 through which weft thread W may pass, the latterbeing threaded through an upstanding guide 290 affixed to the front wallof the casing.

(b) \VEFT THREAD SLACK TAKE-UP DISCS (Figs. 4, 6, 10, 20)

Associated with the weft threads W and W from spools S and S are aplurality of slack take-up discs 63, 64 and 65 affixed in coaxialrelation on the end of shaft 56 which extends through bearing 7 on thefront wall 59 of the casing.

As can be seen from Fig. 20, disc 63 has a mounting hub 60 at its axisaixed to shaft 56. Discs 64 and 65 are not directly atiixed to shaft 56but disc 64 is coaxial with disc 63 and aixed thereto by an arcuateconnecting web 66 which joins the discs 63, 64 near the peripherythereof with a slight space therebetween. The third disc 65 is coaxialwith disc 64 and affixed thereto by an arcuate connecting web 67,degrees removed from web 66 and which joins the discs 64 and 65 near theperiphery thereof also with a slight space therebetween.

(c) WEET THREAD LOOPING CONTROL-(1) HOOK AND BOBBIN ASSEMBLY (Figs.13a., 15, 10, 17, 18, 23, 24)

Each end of hook shaft 187 which protrudes well beyond bearings 188 and193 has a rotary hook member thereon with a hub 197 affixed to the hookshaft by means of set screws 196 (Figs. 15 and 17).

The hook member 195 is substantially cup-shaped in configuration and hasan outwardly diverging recess 401 extending the height of its side wall400 so that each end 402, 403 of the side wall forms an obtuse anglewith the edge of the rear wall 202 of the hook member. The edge of theforward end 402 of the side wall 400 is beveled as at 404 and a metalstrip 405 is welded along said edge so as to form a weft thread engaginghook having a notch 406.

As clearly shown in Fig. 24, an arcuate slot 407 is provided in theperiphery of the hook member in the rear wall 202 thereof, from theleading edge of notch 406 to nearly the edge 403. The open mouth 198 ofhook member 195 facing toward standard 34 has nested therein asubstantially cup-shaped bobbin case 199 with the rear wall 300 of thecase slightly spaced from the rear wall 202 of the hook member. Integralwith the bobbin case 199 at the top thereof and extending upwardly fromthe outer edge 407 thereof which extends outwardly as at 408 is asupport plate 408 having an inclined slot 409 therethrough which extendsinto the bobbin case. The support plate 408 has a tooth 202 extendinglaterally outward and upward therefrom which, as shown in Fig. 13a,passes through an opening 200 in an arm 204 affixed by screws 205 to theupper end of standard 34 on the outer side thereof. Thus as hook member195 is rotated by hook shaft 187, bobbin case 199 will be looselysupported and restrained from rotation.

The end wall 300 of the bobbin case 199 has an axial resilient splitcollet 206 rigid therewith and extending axially forward therefrom onwhich a bobbin 207 of large diameter and capacity may be rotatablymounted, the resilient forward end of collet 206 being preferably formedwith outwardly extending ears 206 which normally lmaintain the bobbin inposition on the collet, The

13 bobbin has openings 207 therein-in which a hook may `be rinsertedtorfacilitateits removalfrom thefzcolletf206. The 'hoolc member,195,bobbin,case.199 and bobbin 207 are positioned in a .substantially:arcuate recess ..208 '(Fig. 13a) in the `upper end of standard 34.

A supporthorn 211-is provdedrigid -withsupport plate 43S and extendinglaterally inward vtherefromover the hook member 195.Support.horn.211,.which tapers downwardly toward. its. free end yasshownin` Figs. .15 .and l7, has a groove 212 along `.thetop edgethereof and anotch 213 near the aixed end thereof leading intotsaid Agroove 212. Thefree .endof the. support hornhas a temple or edge wire 214 affixedthereon .at right .angles thereto extending towardthefront of the loomwhich acts to maintainA the width. of thewoven strip in the mannerhereinafter described.

,The thread from Ithe bobbindesignatedby the letter R, which in theembodimentshown, illustratively isofrubber, passes through slot 409insupport plate 408, through slot 215 in thebObbincaSe .,199 and behinda resilient tension ,arm `216 ,adjustably securedtosupport plate `408 byscrews 217. The arm 216 has acurvedend portion 218` which acts. as aguide to direct the thread .which will pass behind-the arm and belfrictionally tensed between `Sucharm and the rear face of support plateS408 and also retains the thread inthe groove 21`2`in top of supporthorn 211. n

,Referring to Fig. 13a, vthe loom operator is protected by a cover 221hingedto lthe top of the standard"34 as `at.222 and curved overthe top`of support horn 211 and the hook member 195, the free end 223 of thecover' being releasably retained closed against the top ofthe standardby spring latch'224.

To cover the side of the bobbin case as shown inv Fig. 8 a cover plate225.is also provided and`is aiiixed by screws 2,26 to the side edge 227ofthe cover 221. Thus when the cover is pivoted upwardly aboutits'hinge`222, the bobbin will be readily accessible.

fnl. Reed (Figs-8, 9,-10,.1f1` andas) In order to beat the1weftthreadas.it.is,woven,avlight weight and short .strokereed361 is providedwhichvdesirably comprises =a thin sheettmet-al plate ,3.62 curved 4neartheupper .end thereof asat 363,.and,having `a laterally extendingstiffening wall .-364-.on eachside edge thereof atfright angles totheconvex faceoftheplate. The .side walls 364 extendbeyond the loweredgeA365 of the plate to form a yoke, thearms 3,66 and 3,67 of whicharepivotallymountedbn the outerzface of the end wall 9S of thecasing ,bya-screw 3 68 and on the inner face of the standard 34 by screw 369. Thearmseach have a curved notch.371 therein (Fig. l) whichprovidesclearance for rod 329 on which the levers 328 are mounted.

Extending lfrom each of the walls 364 in the same plane thereof arengers 1372, Aeach having `a coil spring 373 axed at theend thereof as at374. As .shown in Fig. 8 the upper end of the coil springis connected tothe eye end 37,5 of a screw 376 extending through. mounting block 343and held therein bya nut 377 by means of which the tension on spring.373and hence on reed 3.61 can beadjusted, nut 377 being locked againstundesired rotation by centralridge343' formed .onblockv 343.

Arms 73.66 and 3 67 respectively at,the.lower..extremity of the reedeach hasa ro1ler'37S1(Fig. 1.0,) mounted on the inner face thereof each.atxed thereto by a shouldered screw 379. The rollersarealigned with therollers '113 on thepattern chain 102to be periodically engaged. therebyas the pattern chain rotatesinthe manner hereinafter set forth. v

As shown in Figs. 9., and 19,.the. plate 362 at'its upper end carries fareadily detachable. combtype reedunit having a plurality of uprightlingers '3S1sothat each finger may bestraddled by a number ofzwarpIthreads asdesired.

rthe comb unit asshownin Figs. 9zand lf2 comprises a rodi 383 desirably:threaded fat ,Seach :end thereof aand preferablyfformed :withammtegral-tshoulder 394x211; one endhaving anintegral'rkey395. Theiingers 381,. eacfn of which has an integral hub portion 382, areassembled `on-rod'Y 383 with interveningV spacing washers 384 as' may berequiredlby the fabrieto be woven. 'The fingers .and washers areAthereupon: securelysclamped together zagainst shoulder 394-by anut.396(Fig.=9) threadedon'the end of rod 383.

To mount the reed unit on plate 362, the right hand end of rod 333is-slippe'd into la hole in the corresponding side wall364 of. theplate3.62and the key 396 at=the.left hand. end of rod.363.is,positioned.inthe U-shaped notch 385 in thecorrespondingside wall 364. The reed unitis thereuponsecurely affixed togplate V362 by means of lock washersv386and nuts 387 [threaded on the-.ends of rod383.

By reason of key -395 in notch 385 and as theiingers381extendupward'from the` hubportion 382 at an angle thereto, with thebase 388 thereof rseated against theiface of plate 362,.the fingers willno trotate on rod 383 and in back `position as .best shown in dot anddashlines in Eig. l0 the fingers will bevparallel -tothe heddle plates'between the rubber heddleand the feliBof the woven article. In orderaccurately to locate the comb or reed inits voutermostposition toprevent the fingers of the reed from strikingthe heddleplates, and toprovide a Yclear passage for the movement of the need-le, astop13'89 isprovided therefor close .to its top or operating end against *.whichplate 362 may abut.

As shown i-n Fig. 23 the stop 389comprises a sublstantially"U-shapedmember having a beveled cross piece 422. Thearms 423 of the stop areaffixed -to the front edges of the heddleguides 291, '292 by screws424.1and

Vnotches 425.areprovided in sucharms 423 which act as bearings or guidesfor the needle as it reciprocates.

As can be .seen by particular referenceto Fig. 9, the back and forthmovement of the reed is extremely short and entails a vibratory movementof only a few degrees, this slight movement together with the lightweight of the comb permitting substantially shockless oper-ation at highspeed.

-IV. -Table plate (Figs. 13,15, 15a and 23) wardly and outwardlydirected lip 415 integral therevwith, which lip 415 is slid under thetable plate 391 beyond a notch 417 in the latter as shown in Figs. 1'3and 23. As lthe'free end of the resilient bridge will normally be urgedupward from the :table plate by reason of abutting portion 418 on `thebottom face thereof adjacent hinge 4111 when lip 415 is positionedbeneath the table plate, the'lip will be retained securely in positionby the'frictional drag of themoving fabric, but the bridge is capable ofbeing freely lifted without ,the use `of tools when required, as intying in a broken warp thread inthe opera tion of theV loom.

Aiiixed on the table plate 391 as shown in Figs. l5, 15a and 23 injuxtaposition to the end of support horn 211, spacedfrom bridge413 so asto permit pivotal opening lof thelatter, and mounted on a pin 39S, is anupstandmg roller 420 against which support horn'211 bears and betweenwhich the yweft thread slides in the manner herevinafter described.

The positionv of the roller 420 closely adjacent the edge wire 214prevents frietional drag of the weft threads sliding along the temple or.edge wire and thetensedbobbin thread R from pulling the 4horn vout ofposition which would cause it to shift and pivot the bobbin case so thattooth 202' would press tightly against the sides of opening 200 and thusprevent free escape of the weft thread loop.

An upstanding guide piece 421 preferably integral with and rising1 fromthe table plate 391, is `aligned with the slot 407 in the periphery ofthe hook member to guide the weft thread W therein as the hook pulls theweft thread loop around the bobbin case.

V. Fabric tension take-up mechanism (Figs. 2, 3, 3a, 5a, 8)

A fabric take-up mechanism is provided to supply constant tensio-n onthe warp threads as the fabric is woven and to take up the woven stripat a predetermined rate.

This mechanism as shown in Fig. 2 includes a driven sleeve 145encompassing the respective ends of take-up shaft 138 and rotatablymounted thereon. The sleeve is journalled in bearings 144 and 144 instandards 34 and extends therefrom, said sleeve having an annular takeupdrum 146 integral therewith.

The inner end of each drum 146 has a toothed face 147 which may meshwith the correspondingly toothed face 148 of a driving member 149 whichis slidably keyed on shaft 138, and encompasses the latter to form aclutch.

As shown in Fig. 3a, driving member 149 has a radial hole through oneside thereof in which is lodged a steel ball 151 which is urged into adepression 154 in shaft 13S by a coil spring 152 retained in said holeby a screw plug 153. When teeth 147 and 148 are engaged, the ball 151retains the driving member 149 in driving position and when said teethare disengaged, take-up drum 146 may be rotated by rotating hand wheel155 affixed as by key 150 to the outer ends of each of the sleeves 145.A second depression 154 is provided in shaft 138 to retain the clutch inopen position.

As shown in Fig. 3, drum 146 preferably has a fine knurled peripherywhich coacts with a horiz-ontal tension roller 158 to provide tension onthe fabric as it is being woven, in the manner hereinafter described. Asshown in Fig. a, roller 158 which preferably has a rubber surface, isidly mounted on a horizontal rod 159 aixed between the legs 161 of asubstantially U-shaped roller frame 162. The roller frame 162 ispivotally mounted on a rod 163 the ends of which extend through the legs161 of the frame 162. As shown in Fig. 8, one end of rod 163 ispositioned in an opening in a boss 164 on the inner face of standard 34while the other end of rod 163 is positioned in a socket 165 on the sidewall 98 of the casing 35. Rod 163 is retained in position by means ofcollars 166 affixed by set screws 167 and positioned between legs 161 ofthe roller frame and the adjacent wall of standard 34 and side wall 98of casing 35 respectively. Each leg 161 has a stud 16S, Fig. 5a, nearthe pivot point of the roller frame 162 .and extending laterallytherefrom, to each of which. studs is affixed the lower end of a coilspring 169. The upper ends of the coil springs 169 are affixedrespectively to studs 171 extending laterally from the opposed innerface of standard 34 and side wall 98 of the casing 35, thereby pivotingroller frame 162 about rod 163 to urge take-up tension roller 158against drum 146.

Journalled in a socket in the side wall 98 of the casing and in a socketin boss 164 on the inner face of the standard 34 is a rod 173 which asshown in Fig. 5a has attened cam portions 175 along the length thereofwhich normally rest on the upper edges of the legs 161 of frame 162. Alever 176 is afiixed to said rod 173 near one end thereof and extendsdownwardly between leg 161 `and standard 34.

Thus when lever 176 is lifted it will rotate the flat cam portions 175to force legs 161 downwardly, thereby moving the tension roller 158 awayfrom drum 146, the raised lever acting as a tell-tale to indicate thespacing of drum 146 and roller 158. y

16 OPERATION To facilitate a clear understanding of the operation of thespecific embodiment of loom shown in the drawings to illustrate myinvention, the weaving of a strip of fabric having twenty-five warpthreads, seven of which are of rubber and eighteen of which are cottonwill be described in detail.

Referring now to Fig. 13, the cotton and rubber warp threads referred toby the letters a to x inclusive are wound on a warp beam (not shown) inback of the machine.

In order to produce a simple in and out weave, for example, it isnecessary that the odd warp threads a, c, e, etc. be vertically spacedfrom the even warp threads b, d, f, etc. to permit the passage of theneedle 52 therebetween. Although to achieve this end, two heddle plateswould suffice, one carrying the even threads b, d, f, etc. and the otherthe odd threads a, c, e, etc., such arrangement would lack versatilityfor the larger the number of heddle plates the greater the variety ofpatterns that can be woven and in the high speed loom herein describedtwelve heddle plates have been illustratively shown.

The warp threads may be so distributed that each of the multiplicity ofheddle plates controls the minimum number of threads practicallyfeasible. Accordingly the greatest number of variations in the relativemovements of the warp threads may be achieved by the arrangement of thecams on the pattern chain without the need for rethreading the heddleplates for each pattern to be woven. Also the threads will bedistributed equally among the heddle plates to minimize the tension onany one plate.

A desirable arrangement for setting up the warp threads to afford theversatility above noted and shown in Fig. 13 is as follows:

The first warp thread a which is of cotton is passed through the firstheddle wire of heddle plate 3051, the second warp thread b of cotton ispassed through the first heddle wire of heddle plate 3052, the thirdwarp thread c of cotton is passed through the first heddle wire ofheddle plate 3053 and the fourth warp thread d which is of rubber ispassed through the first heddle wire of heddle plate 30512. The fifthwarp thread e of cotton is passed through the first heddle wire ofheddle plate 3054, the sixth warp thread f of cotton is passed throughthe first heddle wire of heddle plate 3055, the seventh warp thread g ofcotton is passed through the first heddle wire of heddle plate 3055, theeighth warp thread h which is of rubber is passed through the secondheddle wire of heddle plate 30512. The ninth warp thread of cotton ispassed through the first heddle wire of heddle plate 3057, the tenthwarp thread j of cotton is passed through the first heddle wire ofheddle plate 3058, the eleventh warp thread k of cotton is passedthrough the first heddle wire of heddle plate 3059, the twelfth warpthread l which is of rubber is passed through the third heddle wire ofheddle plate 30512. The thirteenth warp thread m of cotton is passedthrough the first heddle wire of heddle plate 30510, the fourteenth warpthread n of cotton is passed through the first heddle wire of heddleplate 30511, the fifteenth warp thread o of cotton is passed through thesecond heddle wire of heddle plate 3051, and the sixteenth warp thread pof rubber is passed through the fourth heddle wire of heddle plate30512.

This arrangement is repeated until all the warp threads are passedthrough the heddle wires of the associated heddle plates, each threadpassing through the eye of but a single heddle wire. It is to be notedthat in the simple illustrative arrangement above described no twoadjacent warp threads pass through the eyes of the heddle wires in thesame heddle plate. As the result of this arrangement the odd and evenwarp threads may be displaced with respect to each other as alternateheddle plates are reciprocated and each heddle plate will carry thesmallest number of warp threads possible with the exception of heddleplate 30512 which carries six rubber warp threads 17 in accordance withthe usual procedure of having al1 the rubber threads change theirposition from over to under after each pick.

Also desirably passing through the sixth heddle wire in heddle plateV30512 along with the rubber warp thread x is the edge wire 426 which isaffixed at its rear end (not shown) to the frame and which extendsparallel to warp thread x under the bridge 413 and which serves tostrengthen the border of the fabric as -it is woven. However, be-

cause of the larger diameter of the rubber thread, the edge Wire 426 maybe in a separate heddle wire.

After the 24 warp threads are' positioned as above described, they arepassed under bridge 413 which is pivoted to open position, and betweentake-up drum 146 and roller 158 which is spaced therefrom by lever 176to permit the passage of the warp threads therebetween. The bobbin warpthread R is thereupon threaded through slit 409 in support 408, throughslit 215 `in the bobbin case, passed in back of tension arm 216 andthrough notch 213 in support horn 211 and along groove 212 therein1engthwise of said horn to the end thereof. Thread R is thereupon passedaround roller 420 and along edge wire 214 beneath bridge 213 so as toextend between take-up drum 146 and roller 158.

Bridge 413 is closed and lever 176 is thereupon released so that roller158 is resiliently urged by springs 169 against drum 146 to clamp thetwenty-five warp threads therebetween.

By manually pushing on driving clutch member 149 shown in Figs. 2 and 3it may thereupon be slid away from drum 146, this movement beingpossible inasmuch as ball 151 is only rcsiliently retained in depression154. As teeth 14S of clutch member 149 will no longer engage teeth 147of drum 146, the sleeve 145 is free to be r0- tated on shaft 138. Theoperator thereupon turns handwheel 155 so as to pull the warp threadsbetween drum 146 and roller 158. When sucient tension has been appliedto the Warp threads while still holding the handwheel to preventrotation thereof, the operator slides clutch member 149 back againstdrum 146 so that teeth 147 and 148 are in mesh at which time ball 151will be snapped into depression 154 on shaft 138. Thus drum 146 will besecurely retained against rotation under the urging of the tensed warpthreads as shaft 138 will not rotate until the main drive shaft 56 isactuated.

As the horizontal arms 313 and 314 of the heddle plates are behind thevertical leg 308, the drag of the tensed wrap threads on the heddlewires carried by the horizontal legs will tend to pull the latteragainst vertical ieg 308 between the associated pairs of bent ears 311.'Ihus the rivets 322 will have no horizontal strain and as the ears 311also prevent vertical movement of horizontal arms 313 and 314 the rivetswill have no vertical strain.

The next step in setting up the machine is to thread needles 52 and 52at each end of the machine. This is done asv follows: i

As shown in Fig. 19 the weft thread W from spool S is passed through eye228 rigid with the front wall of the machine and then between the discs241 of tension device 232. The thread W is then passed in back 4oftension device 231 so as not to be engaged thereby `and over stud 229rigid with the front wall of the machine. The thread W is thereuponpassed between take-up discs 63 and 64 around web 66 therebetween,through opening 281 in bracket 278 and opening 277 in tensioncompensation arm 255 and through eye 30' at the end of needle 52. Thethread W extends the length of the needle and is passed through eye 30at the nose thereof as shown in Figs. 13 and 14a. As can be clearlyseen` in Fig. 13, the end of the thread W is thereupon tied as at T torubber warp thread x.

Needle 52 is threaded in asimilar manner as needle 52 except that thethread W' comes otf spool S and is passed through eye 230 rigid withthe'frame, then between discs 241 of tension device 231, over stud 229,between takeup discs 64 and 65 and around web 67. Thread W' is thereuponpassed through opening 279 in bracket 278 through support 290 shown inFigs. 2 and 3, through bracket 282 and the opening at the end of tensioncompensating arm 255 and through the eye at the end of needle 52. Thethread W extends the length of needle 52 Vand is passed through the eyeat the nose thereof. The end of thread W is then tied to the rubber warpthread on the vother end of the machine as shown in'Fig. 2.

The next step in setting up the machine is to set the pattern chain. Itis to be noted that to weave an in and out pattern such as the one to beillustratively described it is necessary that the weft thread carried bythe needle be introduced between alternate warp threads. Thus heddleplates 3051, 3053, 3055, etc. must be raised and lowered simultaneouslyto lift the odd warp threads a, c, e, etc. The length of the patternchain is therefore arranged so that there are an even number of units offour links therein and pattern keys 114 are inserted in those grooves inpins 111 of the pattern chain aligned with the rollers 338 on the leversconnected to the heddle plates 3051,` 3053, 3055, etc., i. e., levers3281, 3283, 3285, etc. respectively.

It is apparent that where a pattern is desired which would require anodd number of units, it is a simple matter to remove a unit of fourlinks from the chain and where a different pattern is required using aneven number of units of fourlinks in the chain, it is a relativelysimple matter to change such even pattern by merely shifting the cams,which operation will take but a few minutes and does not requiredisassembly of the machine.

As shaft 95 which drives the keys 114 rotates 90 degrees for eachreciprocation of the needle rod 51, it is necessary in order that theneedle may enter'and Withdraw from the warp thread before theytreversetheir position, that sufficient keys be used to occupy degrees of thesprocket wheel 101, and as illustratively shown at the right hand end ofFig. 2, the point of the needle is withdrawn from the edge of the Wovenstrip a distance sufticient to provide the necessary time for the reedto move forward to beat up the last woven pick after the needle pointhas emerged from the shed.

The positioning of the keys is clearly shown in Fig. 11. Thus, forexample, when roller 338 on lever 3281 is engaged by the sloping forwardedge 117 of the iirst key 114, the lever will be pivoted about rod 329to lift the associated heddle plate 3051. With continued rotation of thepattern chain thelv roller 338 will ride on the top surface of the keys114 and thereupon ride down the sloping edge 117 of the fourth key 114,at which time it has traversed 90 degrees of arc.

In order that all the odd and even heddle plates be raised at one timerespectively to give an in and ou pattern, as seen in Fig. 8, thenotches designated 11212, 1122, 1124, etc. and the notches designated1121, 1123, etc. respectively will have the keys therein transverselyaligned across the pattern chain 101.

With the loom setup as above described, it may be manually driven for afew picks to start the weave by meansof handwheel 62. As main driveshaft 56 is rotated it will also rotate gears 73 and 74 thereon; gear'74 through meshed gear 75 rotating shaft 76 and crank member 81 causingneedle rod 51 to reciprocate in its bearings 49. Thus needle 52 and 52will move in and out for each revolution of the main drive shaft. At thesame time as needle 52 is moving inwardly carrying with it the weftthread W, shaft 76 is rotating worm 93 which meshes with worm gear 94 ina one to four ratio, to turn the pattern chain shaft 95 which willrotate 90 degrees with each complete reciprocation of the needle causingthe alternate heddle plates to be raised to form a shed in the warpthreads between the fell and the heddle plate 30512 prior to theintroduction of the needle therebetween.

